My rat (not the one with the abcess) isn't chewing on things as much as she is supposed to. I don't want to clip them myself ( I feel bad enough clipping her and her sister's nails) and don't have the right tools to clip them. would a small mettal file work?
2006-12-20 15:29:04 · 8 answers · asked by antair_x13 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
My rats are sisters and only a year and one month old. so old age isn't the reason she isn't chewing enough to wear her teeth down.
2006-12-20 15:43:32 · update #1
I'd give them nothing but hard foods to eat for a while, that should wear the teeth down. Find some rodent food and treats with lots of crunchy bits and hard seeds and dried corn for them. They make flavored wood for rodents as well, maybe you could try some of that. I don't think you should try to cut or file their teeth in any way. If they grow so long they won't fit in their mouth properly, take them to a vet and have it done professionally. If they can close their mouth and eat, then they're okay.
2006-12-20 15:45:57 · answer #1 · answered by Dreamer 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is possible if it is only to take about 1mm off the length of the teeth, any more than this can cause sensitivity. It would be good to discuss this fully with a dentist though, rather than just go in asking for the teeth to be cut. Quite often its a combination of your front teeth being a little long and the teeth on either side being a little short so it might look better to get the teeth on either side lengthened a little with white fillings as well as grinding a little from the incisal edges of your front teeth.
2016-05-23 03:24:56 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Never do anything with an animal's teeth, unless you are experienced to do so. Take the rat to a local small animal vet, and they will be able to tell you if filing is needed, and if so, they'll do it for you, safely for the rat.
In most cases, I've had rats that weren't big chewers, and I never had a problem with their teeth over-growing, as they do normal wearing down, just by eating their food.
2006-12-20 15:31:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
no you cant use a file. it would damage her teeth where they wouldnt grow properly & she wouldnt be able to eat right. another reason is that it would really hurt! imagine someone filing your teeth down like fingernails! i would probably get a vegi-stick. its tasty so she would probably chew it. you can get them at any pet store & theres something at wal-mart in the pet section ive seen before but i dont remember the name of it. if this doesnt work ask someone at a pet store or call a vet & ask them. please dont try filing her teeth down it would cause a lot of discomfort & unhappiness to her. but you cant just let her teeth keep growing because that would be just as bad & she will get to the point to where she can't eat.im glad you cared enough to ask before filing her teeth! hope this helped bye
2006-12-20 15:51:00 · answer #4 · answered by horse-lover101 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, No, No...Don't be filing on the animals teeth!
http://www.pet-shop.net/html/rathew.html
2006-12-20 15:39:05 · answer #5 · answered by TheWeeKiwi 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No DON"T DO THAT....they will chew as they are growing out of hand.....if not then maybe your rat is dying soon.
2006-12-20 15:38:02 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ya but that would really hurt the fella..
I say you shouldn't.
2006-12-20 15:36:21 · answer #7 · answered by *Beautiful Zephyr* 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
give her a cheese flavored cement brick.
2006-12-20 15:33:03 · answer #8 · answered by luther 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋